For manufacturers, supply chains are multifaceted logistical systems that can be quite complex and sophisticated. Most manufacturing companies are continually working to improve their supply chain efficiency, and a key starting point is the use of document scanning to optimize various manufacturing processes.
Take the receiving and shipping departments of in a manufacturing facility. As warehouse workers receive raw materials for their company’s manufacturing processes, it’s critical that new inventory is quickly checked in and entered into their integrated enterprise systems.
Document scanners and scanning software can expedite these processes by saving time, creating efficiencies and eliminating errors. The scanners and software can accurately capture the data on documents and clean up the scanned images so they are readable. People across the company now have access to the data in the documents as the metadata is automatically tagged and indexed.
Company-wide efficiencies save time and labor
By capturing the data that is on bills of laden, packing slips and back up documents, people not only save processing time, but they also can more quickly initiate a series of interconnected processes. For instance, once a procurement department receives notification that goods arrived, it can reconcile the incoming inventory with purchase orders. Meanwhile, production planners can be alerted to the arrival of the needed parts for an assembly line, and they can now initiate any related schedules. This kind of integrated communication is particularly important for companies that use just-in-time or lean manufacturing practices where parts inventories are kept to a bare minimum.
Similar activities can be generated on the shipping side of the business from scanned documents, starting with the generation of customer orders through to shipping products out the door. Documents from production can be scanned and connected to ERP systems, which can then automatically initiate customer invoices and packing slips that are shipped out with finished goods.
Document scanning solutions also provide cost savings on several fronts. For one, digital documents don’t require rooms full of file cabinets. That space, once occupied by physical paper, can now be used for other purposes. Secondly, by getting invoices into the accounts payable process quickly, finance can take advantage of early pay discounts, which can sometimes be significant.
Scanning in manufacturing facilities helps create efficiencies while saving time and money through:
- Fewer manual, paper-based shipping and receiving processes
- Quicker access to data on incoming inventory and outgoing orders
- Better control of parts inventories and assembly planning
- Integration with ERP, warehouse and accounting software
- Improved and more efficient productivity and workflows
Which scanner is right for your specific need?
fi Series document scanners can be used throughout a manufacturing facility, in a variety of capacities. Here’s a quick look at how.
- The fi-7300NX is a network scanner that includes Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity. It can be remotely placed within a shipping or receiving dock without the need for a desktop computer. The fi-7300NX includes authentication methods for data security so approved warehouse workers can quickly scan any appropriate documentation to speed up handling and minimize interruptions. This scanner also features a simple touch screen with customized job buttons, so even the least experienced employee can use it. The fi-7300NX can scan up to 60 ppm.
- For accounts receivable or accounts payable, the fi-800R is a perfect choice for invoice processing. It’s a compact, yet highly efficient scanner that has a small footprint which is ideal for convenient use on desktops in front offices with minimal space. It is easy to feed documents into the scanner, with Reverse Feed and U-turn Path features that can accommodate a variety of different document types. The fi-800R can scan batches of various sized documents in the ADF and thicker documents, such as bound documents like passports in the Reverse Feed. The fi-800R can scan up to 40 ppm and up to 4,500 sheets a day.
- In back-office and engineering areas, the fi-7700 Image Scanner is a highly versatile scanner which includes both an ADF feeder that can scan batches extremely fast and also a large flatbed for larger or difficult documents. With user-friendly design and focus on quality, this scanner is suitable for papers of different material, such as thin paper, plastic cards, books, magazines, envelopes, and long page documents. The fi-7700 can scan up to 100 ppm and up to 44,000 sheets a day.